Box Score
JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven baseball team took home a much needed 6-4 victory in game one of a three game Southern States Athletic Conference series against 18^th ranked Auburn-Montgomery Friday night at Smith-Wills Stadium. The Blazers overcame deficits on two different occasions and held on for dear life in the ninth as the Warhawks put the go ahead run at first.
 
Belhaven shortstop Josiah Richard made the play of the night to end the game, robbing fellow shortstop Brandon Pooler of a hit that potentially could have tied the game. Richard ranged deep in the hole on the left side of the infield and backhanded the ground ball while in one motion throwing to third base to nab Eran Franks by a half step for a force play. The win puts Belhaven into a three way tie for sixth place with AUM and Mobile in the SSAC standings.
 
Auburn-Montgomery (16-10, 5-5 SSAC) struck first in the top of the fourth inning with an unearned run off Andrew Gunn. Third baseman Jason Hicks bobbled a ground ball allowing the leadoff man, centerfielder Hayden Hillyer, to reach base. The Warhawks eventually loaded the bases setting up a sacrifice fly by first baseman Bryan Young. After AUM loaded the bases again with one out, Gunn escaped further damage by inducing a double play from third baseman Branden Kelley to end the inning. It was the first of two crucial double plays turned by Belhaven in the contest.
 
Belhaven (18-12, 5-5 SSAC) bounced right back in the home half of the fourth when catcher Kyle Wheeler and leftfielder Dominick Francia slammed back to back doubles to tied the game at 1-1. Francia brought home courtesy runner Daniel Gilbert with a two bagger down the left field.
 
The Blazers went in front for the first time in the fifth, taking advantage of a Warhawks error. Centerfielder Reagan Rutledge singled and moved to second on a sac bunt by second baseman Ryne Cooke. On a fly out to right by Hicks, Rutledge forced a throw to third by Shane Turner that went high of the mark and down the left field line. Rutledge scored easily to give the Blazers a 2-1 edge.
 
In the seventh, the Warhawks soared back in front 4-3 on a clutch two out two run triple off the bat of Hillyer. However, the Blazers didn't stay on the mat for long countering with three runs in the bottom of the seventh. This time Francia came through in the clutch with a two out two run single up the middle. Courtesy runner Joshua Bouldin capped the inning by crossing the plate on a passed ball that glanced off the glove of catcher Brett Wellman.
 
Belhaven posted an insurance run in the eighth when Wheeler drew a walk with the bases loaded, extending the lead to 6-3. Robert Marzoni was summoned from the bullpen to pitch the ninth and close out the game. After getting Kelley on a groundout to second, things got interesting for Marzoni and the Blazers. Marzoni hit DH Chad Mansmann and then walked three of the next four hitters leading to an AUM run. However, Marzoni got Hillyer on a called third strike and then Richard's play a short sealed the win for the Blazers and the save for Marzoni.
 
Belhaven was paced at the plate by Francia, who went 3 for 3 with a double and three runs batted in. Wheeler was one for two with an RBI and Rutledge had a hit and two runs scored.
 
Josh Rogers (2-1) earned the win in relief for the Blazers, tossing 2.2 innings on the hill. Rogers allowed two runs on one hit with a walk and two strikeouts. Marzoni had a bumpy ninth inning, but persevered for his seventh save of the season. Marzoni gave up one run with three walks and one strikeout.
 
Auburn-Montgomery was led by Mansmann at the dish, collecting two hits in three plate appearances with two runs scored. Hillyer had a triple and two runs batted in followed by Young with one hit and one RBI. Erik Lawrence (1-1) was charged with the loss in relief, giving up three runs on one hit with a walk and one strikeout in 0.2 innings.
 
The Blazers and Warhawks will wrap up the series with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Smith-Wills Stadium beginning at 1:00 PM.